Because nest placement directly influences hatchling survival, emergence success, and even sex ratios, understanding the factors that guide these decisions is critical. Changing coastal and environmental conditions, sea level rise, and other impacts threaten these fragile habitats, altering the limited environmental conditions that turtles depend on for nesting. By identifying areas with higher or lower nesting activity, researchers can better understand what makes certain habitats more suitable and work to protect them for future generations.

How researchers studied nesting choices

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science have taken an important step in uncovering these patterns. Using drones and surveys, they investigated the environmental and human-related factors that influence loggerhead sea turtle nest site selection. They also looked at how these factors vary between successful nesting attempts and false crawls—when a turtle emerges from the ocean but returns without laying eggs.

The research led by Summer L. Manestar, who completed her M.S. in marine science and oceanography in FAU's Department of Geosciences, was conducted on a high-density nesting beach in Boca Raton, one of the most active loggerhead nesting regions in the world.